Human Development & Family Studies at Baker College

Owosso, MI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,494/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #79 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Human Development & Family Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $453K $456K $436K
Earnings Multiple 8.8x 8.9x 8.5x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$51,240
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,684
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$39,157
12.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,143
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,494/yr, edging above the $33,473 national average for Human Development & Family Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 8.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 33% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $39,157 debt load exceeds a year of the $36,494 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #79 out of 156 programs, Baker College's financial outcomes for Human Development & Family Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $36,494 to $41,143 over five years (13% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Baker College

Baker College has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 3,026 students in Owosso, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Baker College →

Top Career Paths

Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Baker College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Baker College's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Human Development & Family Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Baker College Human Development & Family Studies graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Human Development & Family Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Human Development & Family Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 33% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →